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SIOUX CITY THIS WEEK
Welcome to Sioux City This Week! This feature on our web page provides you, our citizens, with another venue to discover what’s going on in City government. Our goal is to provide citizens and visitors with pertinent information about projects the City is currently working on or will be working on in the future. We hope that you will find this information useful and will discuss it with family and friends. We are proud to serve the citizens of Sioux City.
Author Kristin Kladstrup Visits Sioux City Public Library
Children’s book author Kristin Kladstrup will be at the Morningside Branch Library at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 14 to sign autographs and talk about her books. The Gingerbread Pirates, a night-before-Christmas picture book, is a rousing holiday adventure. The Book of Story Beginnings, a thrilling middle grade story for ages 10-13, features a ship full of orphaned pirate children, warring royals and magic potions.
Kladstrup, who grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, now calls Massachusetts home. Crediting her voracious childhood reading appetite to her school librarian mother, Kladstrup said that her writing career developed later in life, when she “had a full-time job, a husband, two children, and a lot less time.”
The program is open to all ages; books will be available for purchase. For more information contact the Library at 255-2933 x 231.
Breakfast with Santa
Sioux City Parks & Recreation will host the 6th annual Breakfast with Santa in conjunction with the Sioux City Jaycees Festival of Trees. The event will be held at the Terra Centre Atrium on Saturday, November 28, 2009. There will be two sittings to enjoy breakfast with jolly old Saint Nicholas. You can pre-register for an 8:30am or a 10:00am breakfast. Bring the family out for breakfast with Santa and tell him if you’ve been naughty or nice, listen to Christmas music, take pictures with Santa, decorate cookies, paint your face, and enjoy a holiday story time. The breakfast is $6 per person and includes eggs, bacon, hash browns, juice, milk, and coffee along with a gift from Santa.
Sioux City Parks and Recreation is pleased to partner with the Sioux City Jaycees again to provide fun family entertainment at a reasonable cost. Citizens must pre register for this program and can do so by calling the Parks & Recreation office at 279-6126. Seating is limited and registrations will be closed once all seats are filled.
City Receives Department of Energy Grant
The City of Sioux City has received notice that its application of a Recovery Act Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) in the amount of $801,300 has been approved. The City has plans for two major projects to best utilize the federal funds.
A total of $600,000 will assist with a traffic signal synchronization project in several traffic corridors throughout the city. In addition to smoothing out traffic flows for daily commuters, the reduction of starts and stops will reduce annual fuel consumption by 68,000 gallons and CO2 emissions by 37 tons. Design of the project will take place this winter with construction beginning in the spring of 2010.
The remaining $201,300 of grant funds will fund a proposed innovative new revolving loan fund and rebate program for Sioux City businesses. The funds would make loans of up to $25,000 and rebates of up to $2,500 to companies financing the purchase of energy efficient machinery and equipment. The City of Sioux City is partnering with MidAmerican Energy, who will provide the certification of energy efficiency based on their successful Energy Advantage program. This is a unique rebate program that is the first of its kind in the State of Iowa.
“We’re excited about this innovative effort to improve energy efficiency and help strengthen our local economy at the same time,” says Marty Dougherty, Sioux City Economic Development Director.
Scott Logan, City Engineer, stated, "This grant gives us the opportunity to improve traffic flow through some the city's busiest intersections while at the same time reducing pollution. It's a win-win for Sioux City."
Nominations Sought for 2009 War Eagle Human Rights Awards
The War Eagle Human Rights Awards are sponsored by the Sioux City Human Rights Commission. Awards are given to acknowledge work, by an individual or a group, which positively affected the civil rights climate in Sioux City. Awards will be given for work done in either the last twelve months or for lifetime achievement.
This award is named after War Eagle, chief of the Yankton Tribe in the 1800’s. He is best remembered as a man who believed in peace and worked his entire life towards that goal. War Eagle’s leadership and vision helped lead to the founding of Sioux City.
Examples of who may be nominated:
Individuals—Those who have led the way to a better life by making an impact in one or more areas of civil rights.
Businesses—Entire operation or a single policy or specific program, including diversity in hiring and vendor relations and/or to promote civil rights in our community.
Nonprofit/Community Organizations—Including education, religious and government institutions, which have promoted civil rights, cultural democracy, tolerance and other efforts to promote the community of people and/or the preservation of our overall quality of life.
Youth—Elementary, middle or high school students for their efforts to raise awareness of civil rights and community tolerance.
Deadline for nominations is November 20, 2008 (postmarked). Submit nominations to the Sioux City Human Rights Commission, P. O. Box 447, Sioux City, IA 51102.
The awards will be presented at the Commission’s celebration of Universal Human Rights Day on December 10, 2008, in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Persons interested in obtaining nomination forms may contact the Commission at 279-6985 or get one from the city website at www.sioux-city.org under department name “Human Rights”
Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation “Set”to be NAIA Volleyball Title Sponsor
The Sioux City Sports Authority and the Events Facilities Board are pleased to announce that the Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation will be the title sponsor for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Volleyball Championship this December. The event will be held December 1-5, at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena.
“The Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation, CNOS, and the Siouxland Surgery Center are proud to partner with the NAIA and Sioux City for the 2009 NAIA National Volleyball Championship,” said Mike Hurlburt, CEO of CNOS. “We appreciate the great success that NAIA basketball has enjoyed in Sioux City and we are confident volleyball will experience the same success.” Hurlburt added, “We recognize this championship event benefits the community, the spectators and the NAIA athletes. Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation, CNOS, and the Siouxland Surgery Center share Sioux City and the NAIA’s commitment to excellence. We are proud to be supporting sponsors and partners with the NAIA and the City of Sioux City.”
Sioux City will welcome 24 teams for a pool play to a quarterfinal single elimination bracket championship tournament. The NAIA Volleyball Championship Presented by the Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation will have 12 opening round matches across the country with the winners advancing to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa.
Sioux City has extended the contract with the NAIA to host the Volleyball Championship through 2012. Sioux City will host the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship for a 13th time March 10-16, 2010.
Road Construction Update
Urban Renewal Area Sidewalk Improvement ProgramWork will begin next week on this project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). It includes removing and replacing 4,375 linear feet (0.83 miles) of deficient sidewalk in the Rose Hill Urban Renewal Area and approximately 3,375 linear feet (0.64 miles) of deficient sidewalk in the Jones Street Urban Renewal Area.
11th Street Reconstruction ProjectThis full reconstruction project is complete and 11th Street, from Lewis Boulevard to Fowler Street, has been reopened to traffic. The contractor is still in the area, however, to clean the street and address any final inspection issues.
Military Road Widening & Reconstruction Project: Phase 5 The contractor is paving the north half of the mainline, from Rebecca Street to Ross Street, today and will pave the south half as weather permits. Street returns will also be paved as weather permits. In the coming week, sidewalk crews will continue installing sidewalk along 21st Street between Myrtle Street & Rebecca Street and the contractor will be installing sod along Center Street from 18th Street to 21st Street.
Cecelia Street Improvements ProjectThe contractor has completed mainline paving on South Cecelia Street, from 1st Street south to the end of the cul-de-sac, and is currently paving driveway approaches and building storm sewer intakes.
2009 Paving Patch ProgramThe contractor is concentrating on downtown streets; crews are working toward completing pavement patches on 3rd Street, between Nebraska and Virginia, and on 5th Street, between Nebraska and Jones Street.
Martha Street Widening & Reconstruction Project: Phase 1 The sub-contractor has started paving driveway approaches and will move on to paving sidewalks once the driveways are complete. Construction will begin on the second phase of this project in Spring, 2010.
Heights Neighborhood Reconstruction: Phase 2This week the contractor plans to complete water main installation and begin subgrade work on W. 24th Street, just east of Hamilton Boulevard. The contractor is also working toward completing sanitary and storm sewer work on Cook Drive. In the coming weeks, the contractor will complete subgrade preparation on West 24th Street and begin subgrade preparation on Cook Drive. Paving will take place in November, as weather permits.
Road Closure/Lane Restriction Update
14th Street & Douglas StreetThe intersection of 14th Street and Douglas Street is closed to westbound traffic until the end of the week to facilitate emergency water main work. Westbound traffic on 14th Street is being detoured south at Pierce Street to 12th Street, then back to 14th Street along Douglas Street.
Pearl Street Railroad CrossingThe railroad crossing at Pearl Street, between Tri View Avenue and 3rd Street, is closed today from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to facilitate crossing work by BNSF crews.
8th Street Lane ClosureThe westbound lane of 8th Street is closed from Douglas Street to Pearl Street until the end of the week for storm sewer work.
1st Street & Jennings Street Water Main ReplacementSouth Jennings Street, north of Gordon Drive, and 1st Street, west of Virginia Street, is closed to allow for installation of a new water main. This work is expected to be complete, and the streets reopened, by the end of the week.
Gordon Drive Viaduct Street LightingWestbound lane restrictions are necessary on the Gordon Drive Viaduct for installation of new electrical conduit and lighting on the north side of the viaduct.
11th Street Reconstruction11th Street is closed between Bus Hwy 75/Lewis Boulevard and Fowler Street for reconstruction of utilities and roadway. Traffic will be detoured along 7th Street and Division Street for the duration of the closure. Construction is anticipated to be complete, and the road reopened, by the end of the week.
Cecelia Street ImprovementsSouth Cecelia Street is closed south of 1st Street. This closure allows for installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main. Construction is anticipated to be complete in November.
Military Road Phase V Widening & ReconstructionWest 21st Street is closed between Ross Street and Center Street, but open to north/south traffic at Isabella Street and Myrtle Street. East/west traffic is being detoured along West 19th Street. This closure allows for street widening and the installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main. Projected completion date is November, 2009.
Martha Street Widening and ReconstructionStage 1 construction is underway and requires the closure of Martha Street from Gordon Drive to mid-block between Marshall Avenue and Indiana Avenue. Traffic is being detoured to South Cecelia Street via South Alice Street and Stone Avenue. This closure allows for street widening and the installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main. Stage 2 construction is scheduled for Spring, 2010.
Heights Neighborhood Reconstruction – Stage 2Construction is underway, requiring the closure of the following streets: Cook Drive, Valley Drive and Sunset Circle north of McDonald Drive, Ridgeview Road at McDonald Drive, Summit Street just north of McDonald Drive, Kennedy Drive at 24th Street and 24th Street at Hamilton Boulevard. These closures allow for street widening and the installation of sidewalk, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main. Construction is anticipated to be complete in November, 2009.
2009 Paving Patch ProgramConstruction is underway on 3rd Street, requiring lane restrictions between Nebraska Street and Virginia Street, and on 5th Street, requiring lane restrictions between Nebraska Street and Jones Street.
The Engineering Division understands that residents and businesses will be inconvenienced by the various street closures associated with these projects. We appreciate your patience and cooperation and will continue to keep you well informed. You can find more information, including maps of road closures and detour routes, at our website: www.SiouxCityStreets.org. To ensure the safety of all, please be especially cautious in construction zones and along detour routes.
A NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION WITH
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER!
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER will perform their incomparable Christmas show Thursday, December 31st, at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. Tickets go on-sale Saturday, October 3rd, at 10:30am at the Tyson Events Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 800-745-3000.
Silver is the color of MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER’S world as Magic Arts & Entertainment is set to co-produce their 25th Anniversary tour. The popularity of MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER has made them the largest selling Christmas artist of all time, and launching two tours will meet the high demand for this family holiday tradition. The group has sold more than 35 million recordings and will be releasing a limited edition, 25th Anniversary Christmas collection. This two disc set will include 25 Chip Davis and fan favorites.
“First of all, I can’t believe 25 years has flown by so quickly,” said Grammy Award® winner and best-selling author Chip Davis, the creator of MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER. “I’m so grateful to our fans for continuing to buy our CDs and allowing us to have a 25 Year Collection. The worst part was everything is so good I couldn’t figure out what to put on it. ‘A lot of memories.’ Enjoy them.”
THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC OF MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER BY CHIP DAVIS
New Year’s Eve
Thursday, December 31st 8:00pm
Orpheum Theatre
Sioux City, IA
Tickets on sale Saturday, October 3rd, at 10:30am
Tickets start at $45.00 and are available at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.
Re-opened in 2001, the Orpheum Theatre holds approximately 2,500 patrons.
For more information regarding events at the Orpheum Theatre and to register your email for updates on upcoming events and Internet presales, please visit www.orpheumlive.com.
Iowa Ranks #4 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business”
CNBC.com has released the “America’s Top States for Business in 2009” list and Iowa has captured the #4 overall ranking in the nation. Ten categories of competitiveness were identified including cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation, technology & innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living.
The state’s ranking improved from #9 in 2008 to #4 in 2009 with Iowa cited as the most improved in the country. The Hawkeye State finished # 1 in the key Cost of Doing Business category worth 450 points (2/2008), was 4th in Economy (29/2008) and also ranked high in Business Friendliness (11/11) and Education (14/15). “These results confirm that Sioux City and the State of Iowa are extremely competitive in attracting new business,” stated Sioux City Economic Development Director, Marty Dougherty. “Key areas such as lower utility costs are strengths for Iowa and have contributed to the relative strength of our economy,” he added.
In ranking the states, CNBC scored all 50 on more than 40 measures of competitiveness. States received points based on their rankings in each metric. Then, they separated those metrics into ten broad categories, weighting the categories based on how frequently they are cited in state economic development marketing materials. That way, the study ranks the states based on the criteria the states use to sell themselves. To view a complete listing, visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/31392646/
Glass Recycling Available in Sioux City
The City is happy to announce that the Environmental Advisory Board has successfully resolved the problem of recycling glass in Sioux City! A few months ago the recycling industry took a downturn along with the rest of the economy and Sioux City found itself with no outlet for recyclable glass items.
The City’s Environmental Advisory Board members began researching potential solutions. The outcome is that Greenstar, a recycling company with facilities in Des Moines, Laurence’s Super Market, and the Environmental Advisory Board have partnered to locate a glass recycling center here in Sioux City.
Special thanks is extended to Board members Jean Chesterman and Stan Sherman for their dedication to recycling and creating a better environment for our community, and for their diligent research which led them to discover a company like Greenstar and bring this service to our community. “We value the dedication of those who volunteer to serve on the City’s numerous Boards and Commissions. This is an outstanding example of a community partnership initiated by one of our volunteer Boards,” stated Myers.
Laurence’s Redemption Center is located at 2020 27th Street. The center’s hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily. The center is open seven days per week.
You may bring your recyclable glass items for drop off at the center along with other returnable beverage cans and bottles. Please remember glass cannot be recycled curb side via your green recycling bins.
City Begins to Twitter!
Sioux City is now connecting with people instantly by providing updates via Twitter. Learn about City developments, recognitions, events, projects and important news by joining the free service found at http://twitter.com/locatesiouxcity.
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send and read other users' updates. The updates, known as tweets, are text-based posts that answer the question “What are you doing?” in less than 140 characters in length. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The message can be received via the Twitter website, iphone, Blackberry, Facebook or other application.
“Twitter offers a new and instantaneous way to relay information about our community,” stated Anne Westra, Economic Development Specialist. “We are able to communicate messages in real time and create a positive buzz about Sioux City.”
Since Twitter combines use of the Web, instant messages and text messaging, measuring the site's popularity is tough. The privately held company does not disclose numbers, however, a 2/13/09 blog entry on Twitter.com indicated that active users have increased 900% in the last year. A February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranks Twitter as the third largest social network (behind Facebook and MySpace), and puts the number of users at roughly 6 million and the number of monthly visitors at 55 million.
Sioux City Entertainment Venues on Facebook®
Facebook® users can now keep up to date with the Tyson Events Center and Orpheum Theatre! New fan pages for the two venues have been created on Facebook®, and content will be updated regularly with artist news, show information, photos, and upcoming event announcements.
“We have seen great response so far from the Facebook community,” said Executive Director Aran Rush. “We sent out a request for Facebook fans to sign up on our page late yesterday and more than 350 people signed up by 8:00am this morning. We expect this to grow exponentially as the word spreads.”
Facebook® is a social networking tool founded in 2004 that gives people the power to share information, upload photo and video content, and connect with friends through its database of millions of users.
Tyson Event Center
Sioux City Musketeers v Sioux Falls
November 17, 2009
Hinder
November 20, 2009
Sioux City Musketeers v Youngstown
November 21, 2009
NAIA Volleyball Championships
December 1-5, 2009
Brad Paisley
January 14, 2010
Orpheum Theatre
Sioux City Symphony-Homecoming with Ben Baron
November 14, 2009
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
November 18, 2009
The Wizard of Oz
November 30, 2009
The Moscow Ballet
December 8, 2009
REPORT A POTHOLE
Residents may report potholes or breakdowns by calling the Street Division at 279-6886 or at sioux-city.org.
Pet License Renewals
Excess Domestic Animals Permit
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 279-6311 for more information on pet licensing or the excess animals permit.
REPORT CRIMINAL MISCHEIF
The Police are asking citizens to please be vigilant in their neighborhoods and report anything suspicious to police as soon as they see it occur. Please call 279-6960 to report anything occurring which might assist the Police Department. Information may also be reported to Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477).
GRAFFITI ALERT
Please report any sighting of graffiti IMMEDIATELY so it can be quickly removed or painted over. CALL 279-6960.
Press Releases
There are always press releases being added to our website. Please take a moment to look at these. They can be found scrolling on the right hand side of the main page of our website.
City Council Meetings
Please take a moment to check our Council Agendas and Minutes on our home page. It’s one of your opportunities to learn more about current City Council considerations. City Council meetings are held the first four Mondays of every month at 4pm in the City Council Chambers-5th floor of City Hall. You may watch the City Council meetings online at sioux-city.org or on cable access channel 10.
Let us know if you have any questions or topics that you would like us to cover by going to our comments page. As always, please do not hesitate to call me at 279-6136 with your questions or concerns.
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